Sexton and Mehaffey on course to meet in 

Irish final at Lahinch

By SARAH CROWE, Irish LGU

Low scores and high sunshine once again dominated play on day three of the Irish Women’s Close Championship at Lahinch Golf Club.

Leading qualifier Sinead Sexton continued her good form as she overcame Paula Walsh (Doneraile) on the home green this morning. Fellow Munster competitors Valerie Clancy (Killarney) and Aoife Lowry (Tipperary) also sailed through to the quarter-finals this afternoon after beating Co. Cork golfers Sarah Byrne (Douglas) and Rachel Thompson (Cork), respectively. 

Sexton proved too strong for Clancy this afternoon as the home favourite proved her class when she saw off the Killarney native 5 and 3. Lowry was up from the start against Ballinrobe’s Shannon Burke and held her lead as she finished the match on the 17^th to book her place in Sunday's semi-finals.

Lowry will now take on Curtis Cup team member Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) after Mehaffey managed to secure the win on the 17^th against Curtis Cup team-mate Maria Dunne (Skerries). 

In the morning Dunne had overcome young gun Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) on the 16^th and Mehaffey triumphed against Mairead Martin (Killarney). Both matches provided spectators and supports alike with a fabulous display of pin rattling golf over the championship course.

Louise Coffey (Malone) remained focused as she beat 2014 Irish close champion Mary Doyle (The Heath) in the morning match and saw off Milltown’s Georgia Carr in the quarter-finals. Past international Coffey will tee off in the top semi-final against Sexton.

Championship Match Play
SECOND ROUND
Sinead Sexton (Lahinch) bt Paula Walsh (Doneraile) 2 holes.
Valerie Clancy (Killarney) bt Sara Byrne (Douglas) 2 and 1
Louise Coffey (Malone) bt Mary Doyle (The Heath) 3 and 2
Georgia Carr (Milltown) bt Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) 1 hole. 

 Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) bt Chloe Ryan (Castletroy) 1 hole.

Aoife Lowry (Tipperary) bt Rachel Thompson (Cork) 4 and 2
Maria Dunne (Skerries) bt Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) 3 and 2
Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) bt Mairead Martin (Killarney) 2 holes

QUARTER-FINALS

Sexton bt Clancy 5 and 3.

Coffey bt Carr 1 hole.

Lowry bt Burke 3 and 1.

Mehaffey bt Dunne 2 and 1.

SUNDAY MORNING SEMI-FINALS
08.50 Sexton v Coffey.
09.00 Lowry v Mehaffey.

PLATE MATCH-PLAY

QUARTER-FINALS

Anne McCormack (Naas) bt Lisa O'Shea (Shannon) 5 and 3
Aedin Murphy (Carlow) bt Ellen O'Gorman (Milltown) 3 and 2
Orla Dunphy (Kilkenny) bt Catriona Griffin (Killarney) 3 and 2
Elisa Corcoran (Grange) bt Karen Delaney (Carlow) at 19^th

SUNDAY'S SEMI-FINALS

08.30 McCormack v Murphy.

08.40 Dunphy v Corcoran.